Lenham and Harrietsham Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Lenham and Harrietsham, 5.3 crimes were reported in October 2024—a rate 34.6% lower than the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly one crime for every 188 residents over the course of the month. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (38.9% of all crimes), shoplifting (30.6%), and anti-social behaviour (16.7%). While the overall crime rate remains stable compared to the previous month, the seasonal transition into darker evenings and Halloween may have influenced patterns. Violence and sexual offences, for instance, saw a 75% increase from 8 to 14 incidents, potentially linked to the extended hours of darkness and increased social activity. Conversely, shoplifting—driven by high street retail presence—rose 8.3% from 12 to 11 cases, though it remains 122% above the UK average. The area’s relatively low crime rate, particularly for property crimes and burglary (both 39% and 32% below the UK average respectively), suggests a community with strong local policing or social cohesion. The mix of crime types also reflects a balance between urban and suburban characteristics, with anti-social behaviour and violence dominating over property-related offences.

October 2024 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with violence and sexual offences rising by 75% (from 8 to 14 cases) compared to the previous month. This increase, though notable, remains 21% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Shoplifting, meanwhile, decreased slightly by 8.3% (from 12 to 11 cases), yet still exceeds the UK average by 122%, highlighting the persistent challenge of retail crime in the area. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 50%, from 4 to 6 cases, potentially linked to seasonal events like Halloween. In contrast, burglary fell sharply by 66.7% (from 3 to 1 case), aligning with the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. This decline may reflect improved security measures or reduced opportunities for opportunistic theft. The data also reveals a 100% increase in 'other crime' (from 0 to 1 case), a category that includes unclassified or low-frequency incidents. These shifts underscore the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, with some categories responding to seasonal factors while others remain consistently above or below national benchmarks. Residents may find the 122% shoplifting rate particularly concerning, as it indicates a higher risk of retail theft compared to the rest of the UK.

The crime rate in Lenham and Harrietsham remained unchanged from September 2024, with a stable rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests that local conditions, such as policing strategies or community initiatives, may have mitigated seasonal fluctuations typically seen in other areas. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day in October, a figure that, while low, still requires attention given the 122% above-average shoplifting rate. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 188 residents, a ratio that places the area among the safer communities in the UK. With a population of 6,776, this means that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is significantly lower than the national average, which is 8.1 per 1,000. However, this statistical advantage is not evenly distributed across crime types. For example, shoplifting remains high, while violent crime and anti-social behaviour are lower than the UK average. This contrast highlights the importance of targeted interventions in specific areas, such as high-street retail zones, where shoplifting rates persistently exceed national levels. The relatively low burglary and criminal damage rates also suggest that property-related crimes are less prevalent, possibly due to the area’s character as a built-up district within Maidstone, where residential density and community engagement may deter such offences.